Town Election Update After the Nomination Paper Deadline

Although the Town Election has been postponed, nomination papers were still due by March 31. Candidates may also be nominated at their political party caucus. Party caucuses would normally be held by April 10 at the latest, but both parties have requested an extension from the Select Board due to the COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. The Select Board will also be discussing the caucus dates and the new proposed election date of June 29 at their next meeting. eHop will report on the new caucus and election dates when they are available. There is only one contested race so far this year, for the Select Board. There are currently no candidates for Commissioners of Trust Funds or Constable. Candidates are welcome to email a candidate statement, a photo and a link to their campaign website or social media to eHop and we will be happy to post it on our website along with info about all the other candidates. Please send to webmaster@ehop.org.

Offices on the 2020 Town Election Ballot:

Select Board, 3 Years, Vote for 1 – Contested Race

• John M. Coutinho, Candidate for Re-Election, Republican
• Amy B. Ritterbusch, Democrat

Board of Assessors, 3 Years, Vote for 1

• Adam R. Munroe, Democrat

Board of Health, 3 Years, Vote for 1

• Elizabeth B. Whittemore, Candidate for Re-Election, Democrat

Board of Library Trustees, 3 Years, Vote for 2

• Meena J. Kaushik, Democrat
• Jessica M. McCaffrey, Republican – did not have enough signatures by the deadline, but may be nominated at the Republican caucus

Cemetery Commissioners, 3 Years, Vote for 1

• Claire B. Wright, Candidate for Re-Election, Republican – did not return nomination papers, but may be nominated at the Republican caucus

Commissioners of Parks & Recreation, 3 Years, Vote for 2

• Liisa K. Jackson, Democrat
• Laura W. Hanson, Candidate for Re-Election, Democrat

Commissioners of Trust Funds, 3 Years, Vote for 1

• Candidate Needed – someone may be nominated at a party caucus

Constable, 3 Years, Vote for 1

• Candidate Needed – someone may be nominated at a party caucus

Housing Authority, 5 Years, Vote for 1

• Darlene A. Hayes, Democrat

Planning Board, 5 Years, Vote for 2

• Jane T. Moran, Candidate for Re-Election, Unenrolled
• Sundar Sivaraman, Democrat – did not return nomination papers, but may be nominated at the Democratic caucus

School Committee, 3 Years, Vote for 2

• Lya A. Batlle-Rafferty, Democrat
• Joe M. Markey, Democrat

As we head into election season, eHop would like to remind our readers of our candidate endorsement policy:

The primary mission of eHop is community education on funding and policy issues pertaining to the Town of Hopkinton, Massachusetts including the Hopkinton Public Schools. Hence, eHop will strive to provide voters with accurate and detailed information on candidates running for state and local office, with a focus on each candidate’s position on both town and school-related issues.

It is eHop policy not to endorse candidates for public office. eHop board members are at liberty, however, to endorse candidates independently.

When eHop collects information from candidates for voter education purposes, eHop may add editorial comments to clarify candidate claims or statements that eHop deems to be deceptive or misleading, or that require further explanation.

On our Blog/Website:

Any eHop Board Member running for elected office in a contested race will not write or edit any website posts regarding the office for which they are running, including but not limited to our annual Candidate Q&A.

On Facebook:

In addition, due to eHop policy not to endorse candidates for public office, any endorsements for specific candidates will be deleted from our Facebook page.

Candidates are welcome to email a candidate statement, photo and a link to their campaign website or social media, which we will be happy to post to our website along with info about all the other candidates. Please send to webmaster@ehop.org.

Read our full policies and guidelines…